These days...Autumn 2015

So just how is our Autumn shaping up?  Well, I do believe I have mentioned that this has been one crazy season for us.  I am actually glad for the darker days, cooler weather, and rain to move in so I can feel a little more home centered!  What does our weekly schedule look like?

I get up early...which I love!  I don't ever need an alarm clock, I just wake up because I enjoy the quiet time in the morning.  I go for a walk (and listen to a sermon) on the days that Phil doesn't have to leave early and try and do some reading/devotions and email/computer catch up.  

We homeschool Monday through Friday.  We try and get through Bible, Language lessons and Writing, Math, Speech, and a day or two of Science in the mornings and then leave quiet Read time, Awana memory work, and Piano lessons for the afternoon.  I do take a break every afternoon and let the children watch something educational while I have some quiet time to rest, read, eat my lunch, etc..

Monday we have piano lessons.  Tuesday is speech therapy (through the public school) and the evening is my craft time.  Wednesday is Awanas.  Thursday is our no obligation day.  Friday we have (private) speech therapy (3 children are currently being served, and 4 have speech practice at home), co-op, and farm fresh errand running (milk, eggs and yogurt, and greens).  Saturday is supposedly free but always gets book up somehow.  Sunday is church and we have Sunday school and Service.  

Speaking of Awanas, I am so pleased with the children's dedication to Awanas.  Sawyer is working on making up the book he missed (since we only joined last year) so he is learning double scripture and doing double assignments.  The children are highly motivated memorize scripture and are loving the Awanas program.  Sawyer got chosen to be one of the worship leaders so he is busy learning songs and the motions/sign language to go with them.  He was so excited about this and my heart just filled with happy knowing my nearly 11 year old, with a speech challenge, has the confidence and desire to get up in front of a crowd and lead worship.  

I have been forced to explore cooking in a crockpot a little more since I am gone 2 days during the school week and often too busy to spend much time in the kitchen.  We have had lots of soups and stews which is cold weather comfort foods, for sure.  

Phil is taking online courses for his Master's program and working on practicum credits at work.  He is also getting his business up and running and has done a few trainings and hoping to book more.  

Putting on a sweatshirt backwards and then posing when I try to take a picture.  



The first colds/fevers of the season.  Sawyer was feeling poorly so I told him to look pathetic for the camera.

Autumn mornings

Beautiful leaves

Playtime after the school work is done.

Winter room arrangement.  I meant to take better pictures once I had done the final decorating touches but I haven't finished it yet.  We blocked off the archway with shelving and moved our school table into the livingroom.  



First fire of the season

House of cards

Playing around with new hat designs.  This is freeform crochet and while I liked the result, it is too heavy.  I have had trouble getting the hats getting to feel loose and flexible and fit correctly.  I haven't give up on the idea....yet.

Wearing a shirt for pants and pants for a shirt.  Silly boy.

Evi wanted me to take a picture of her at co-op.  I am teaching the 2nd/3rd grade class this term.  We are doing Magnet-Science lessons. 

I love to see blooms when everything else is going to sleep!  This is a camellia at my parent's house.  

Running up the driveway for piano lessons.  I am so very happy that the children have music as part of our homeschooling!  Mrs. Richman is wonderful and it is fun for the children to have her in co-op as well as take piano lessons in her home (and have Grandma Tracy's piano to play on!).

The view from the Richman's driveway.  

Science experiments...making sedimentary rock with sand and cornstarch.  




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